ISSN : 1997-1052 (Print)
2227-202X (Online)
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Disaster Risk of Women: A Case of Landslide in Hill Tracts of Rangamati District
Sharmin Shahria
Abstract

Bangladesh is a highly populated country located in South Asia. It is recognized as a disaster prone country. The country has suffered many natural disasters at different times. At present landslide has become a newly added natural hazard in Bangladesh, especially in the south-eastern part of the country. Global record indicates that Nepal, India, Japan, China and USA observe the incident of landslide regularly. There are about 12% of hilly regions in the total area of Bangladesh. The hill tracts regions are more prone to hill collapse than any other area of our country. The extended population lives at the foothills and on the risky slopes of the hills where the living environments are quite unsatisfactory. During the monsoon period there are incidents of landslide and human causalities. Hill cutting for illegal establishments and deforestation for land are the main reasons behind the landslides in hilly districts. In 2017, nearly 100 people were killed in the massive landslide in the hilly districts of Bangladesh.  The government sent instantly the disaster affected people to various shelters, but women and infants endured more troubles due to landslide. Instant steps taken to tackle the disaster were not women friendly. This study mainly discusses the impacts of landslide on local women of the Rangamati district and the possible measures that can be taken to protect them. The study was conducted by Key Informant Interview, FGD and Case Study on the victims of the hill collapse in Rangapani village of Rangamati Sadar Upazila. Primary data from Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA) and secondary data from different sources have been used. The study shows that an integrated approach is needed to reduce landslide disaster in the hilly districts of Bangladesh.

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